LAS VEGAS -- In the wake of Ecast's shutdown, NSM Music Inc. has announced two moves that will attempt to position its jukebox music network to compete for operator subscriptions. First, NSM said it's redirecting worldwide jukebox production to the U.S. to meet potential demand for conversion kits, as well as new Icon 2 and Fusion jukeboxes that run on NSM's network. Second, the company is exhibiting a full product lineup here at this week's Amusement Expo, which opens on March 14.

NSM said its decision to exhibit at the trade show was prompted by a desire "to support its loyal operator customers, provide solutions, and answer their questions and concerns" about the Ecast shutdown and legacy NSM jukeboxes powered by the former service. On March 1, San Francisco-based Ecast pulled the plug on its network, estimated to support 6,500 touchscreen digital jukeboxes, many of which are NSM's Icon model.

"We look forward to talking to operators about conversion kits, new jukeboxes, proven NSM models, and new features designed to increase both revenues and impact at locations," said Bob Cooney, senior vice-president of NSM Music Inc. Cooney, a former Ecast executive who left the company more than a year ago, is now heading NSM's American business.

In addition to its latest hardware offerings, NSM will unveil new karaoke and advertising applications for its jukeboxes and network.

However, NSM has not yet provided official details for music clearances for its network. The company was approved to run a trial on a limited number of units of last year. Separately, NSM Music Group, Ltd., parent of the incorporated American division based in Elmhurst, IL, announced in December 2010 that its jukebox systems would be available to professional operators and directly to locations. NSM's licensing ambiguity and policy to sell direct to locations have created concern and indignation from the operating community.

NSM officials will be available in booth No. 1218 at the Amusement Expo to answer questions and demonstrate its product line up. Products on display include:

» Icon-to-Icon 2 conversion kit. This is a simple and affordable core upgrade for converting existing (previously Ecast-powered) Icon jukeboxes to Icon 2 models, operating NSM's proprietary music service. NSM says operators can easily transition their Icon jukeboxes to the NSM network with a field service call of less than 30 minutes and by signing a contract.

» Icon Lite. New features include a new dual core processor that make the jukebox much more responsive and user friendly, and a powerful digital amplifier. It also features changeable graphics, allowing operators to customize the look of the jukebox to meet location decor by selecting from provided art, or designing their own graphics.

» Icon 2. This is a top-selling digital jukebox in Europe and now available in the United States. An update to the original Icon model, it is small, stylish and powerful.

» Fusion. The new jukebox has a 32" LCD touchscreen in the same size box as an Icon 2 and with the same features. The larger screen makes certain that patrons know where the music is coming from and provides additional advertising opportunities.

NSM Music was founded in Germany in 1951 and is now headquartered in Leeds, England. In addition to the UK and U.S., NSM maintains offices in Dubai and Germany, and a website at nsmmusic.com. Among its early innovations was the invention of a mechanism that played 45-RPM records from a vertical stack and used different tone arms for the A and B sides of records. Today, NSM Music administers a music distribution server in the UK. It was the first jukebox manufacturer to be awarded the Phonographic Performance License for dubbing and downloading music in Europe.